Nearly 9 out of 10 female motorists are at least somewhat involved in the decision-making process for their household’s vehicle maintenance and repair, according to a study by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association. However, how much do women truly know about what’s under the hood of their vehicle–and the care it requires?
According to a recent survey by Jiffy Lube International, 35% of women wrongfully believe that balancing the weight of people in your car will help your tires last longer, and 28% erroneously
thought using premium gas all the time makes your car run better. Ladies…!
Time for a crash course on how to better take care of your automobile. Here are 7 car-care tips courtesy of Jiffy Lube.
Care-Care Checklist for Women
1. Create a preventive maintenance checklist
Have a car-care expert perform preventive maintenance services on a regular basis, such as topping off fluid levels, inspecting belts and hoses, checking tire pressure and the
engine oil, and making sure all the lights work.
2. Check your engine air filter
The engine air filter is like the vehicle’s lung. Refer to your owner’s manual to see when it should be swapped out to ensure your car is breathing clearly.
3. Check your engine oil and filter
Engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. Check the oil level regularly and check your owner’s manual for when to change the oil and which grade to
use.
4. Know how to check tire pressure and change a tire
Having a flat tire is never fun, but learning how to change it yourself can save a lot of time. Ask a car care professional to show you how. Make sure your tires are filled to the
proper tire pressure as well. You can find the proper tire pressure in the vehicle owner’s manual or on a decal in the door jamb or glove compartment. Be sure to check and fill the spare tire
as well.
5. Control your gas consumption
To help your gas mileage, be sure to observe the speed limit and ensure your tires are properly inflated. Removing the extra weight from your trunk or back
seat can also help.
6. Clean and replace worn wiper blades
Wiper blades should be swapped out about every six months. Check for cracks regularly, and clean dirty wiper blades with a wet paper towel.
7. Stay calm in an emergency
Make sure your vehicle emergency kit is restocked. If you don’t have one, create one with items such as bottled water, a flashlight, flares, duct tape, an extra
cell phone, energy bars, a blanket, phone number for roadside assistance and a can of Fix-a-Flat.
For more car-care tips visit: www.JiffyLube.com.
For more on car maintenance tips on SHeKnows:
What you should look for on a test drive
To haggle or not to haggle? That is the question for car dealers today
More Stories from Living
Leave a Comment